Sunday Trophy: Crown Paints 0-1 Blackhurst Budd

Ric Seear’s second-half goal sent Blackhurst Budd through to the Guide Security Sunday Trophy final at the expense of Crown Paints.

The fixture was a repeat of last season’s semi final, but not a repeat of the result as the Blackpool-based side triumphed on this occasion after exiting at this stage in 2017.

Blackhurst Budd will face Broomheads Estate Agency in the final at the County Ground on Wednesday 9th May.

The tone was set during the early stages of a feisty encounter, as Crown Paints skipper Matt Allen was booked inside the opening minutes of the game.

A threatening ball by Blackhurst’s Danny Penswick was chased down by Brett Dawson, who took a touch on the ball but there was too much power behind it, leaving it to roll into the hands of Crown Paints goalkeeper Tom Scott.

Michael Clark won the ball on the edge of box after 14 minutes, delivering a high ball towards goal, but Crown Paints ‘keeper Tom Scott made an impressive jumping save, pushing the ball over the woodwork.

Alex Ralph then beat two Blackhurst Budd defenders on the edge of the box and chipped it towards Banks, but the ball was cleared away.

Scott then made another comfortable save on the half hour mark from a Blackhurst free kick.

With five minutes left of the first half, Allen was sent off, leaving his side to battle on with 10 men.

SECOND HALF

Blackhurst ‘keeper Mark Smith made an impressive catching save seven minutes into the second half, under pressure from two Crown Paints players.

Seear then put his side ahead 10 minutes after the interval. He found himself space on the back post, received a good cross and calmly slotted the ball past Scott.

Despite being a man down, Crown Paints battled for an equaliser.

Ralph slotted the ball through to Kyle Smith but he put too much weight on it, leaving the ball to roll out for a goal kick.

Minutes later, the home side won a free kick on the edge of the box but, after pinging the ball around the box, they failed to send the ball into the back of the net.

Anthony Lynch delivered a long shot into the box, desperate to score, but the ball went just wide of the far post.

Blackhurst could have doubled their advantage with just two minutes left through a free kick, but Marco Cobb’s set-piece skied the woodwork.

Fortunately for them, they’d already done enough to secure their place in the final.